Retainer sleeve design with anti-rotation features

ABSTRACT

A retainer sleeve includes an at least partially annular body defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The body may also have a radially inner annular surface defining a radially inner aperture, and a first anti-rotation feature extending radially inwardly from the radially inner annular surface including a sloping ledge having a locking surface that faces at least partially in the circumferential direction and along a direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation, forming an oblique angle with the direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority under35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/887,745filed on Aug. 16, 2019 with the same title, the contents of which arehereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to retaining mechanisms employed on workimplement assemblies such as bucket assemblies used by earth moving,mining, construction equipment and the like for attaching a tip to anadapter of the work implement assembly. More specifically, the presentdisclosure relates to a retaining mechanism that uses a retainer sleeveto hold a retainer of the retaining mechanism in a locked or unlockedconfiguration.

BACKGROUND

Machines such as wheel loaders, excavators, and the like employ workimplement assemblies including bucket assemblies, rakes, shears, etc.that have teeth or tips attached to them to help perform work on amaterial such as dirt, rock, sand, etc. For example, teeth or tips maybe attached to a bucket assembly to help the bucket assembly topenetrate the ground, facilitating the scooping of the dirt into abucket, etc. Adapters are often attached to the work edges (e.g. thebase edge, the side edge, etc.) of the bucket or other work implement sothat different styles of teeth or tips may be attached to the workimplement. Also, the tips or teeth may be replaced easily when worn byproviding a retaining mechanism that is used to selectively hold the tiponto the adapter or to allow the tip be removed from the adapter.

These retaining mechanisms may include a plastic retainer sleeve thatholds the retainer in the tip. The retainer sleeve may also havefeatures that hold the retainer in a locked or unlocked position toallow replacement of the tips. The retainer sleeve operates in variousconditions and operating methods. In extreme operating conditions andmethods, a more robust sleeve may be required.

Accordingly, while current retainer sleeves work well in certainapplications, continuous improvement is warranted to provide retainersleeves suitable for other applications.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A retainer sleeve according to an embodiment of the present disclosuremay comprise a body including an at least partially annularconfiguration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and acircumferential direction. The body may also comprise a radially innerannular surface defining a radially inner aperture; and a firstanti-rotation feature extending radially inwardly from the radiallyinner annular surface including a sloping ledge having a locking surfacethat faces at least partially in the circumferential direction and alonga direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation, forming an obliqueangle with the direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation in aplane perpendicular to the radial direction.

A retainer sleeve according to another embodiment of the presentdisclosure may comprise a body including an at least partially annularconfiguration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, acircumferential direction, a first axial end disposed along the axis ofrotation, and a second axial end disposed along the axis of rotation.The body may also comprise a radially inner annular surface defining aradially inner aperture, a detent feature including a rib extendingradially inwardly from the radially inner annular surface, defining arib radial height, and a lip disposed at the first axial end extendingradially and circumferentially past the rib.

A retainer and retainer sleeve assembly according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure may comprise a retainer including a driveportion, and a lug receiving portion defining a lug receiving slot thatextends partially through the lug receiving portion, forming a firstsidewall, a second sidewall, and a catch surface connecting the firstsidewall to the second sidewall. The lug receiving portion may alsoinclude a skirt that at least partially defines the first sidewall,second sidewall, and catch surface. The skirt may terminate at a slopedface that intersects with the first sidewall. The assembly may alsocomprise a retainer sleeve including a body including an at leastpartially annular configuration defining an axis of rotation, a radialdirection, and a circumferential direction. The body of the retainersleeve may also include a radially inner annular surface defining aradially inner aperture, and a first anti-rotation feature extendingradially inwardly from the radially inner annular surface including asloping ledge having a locking surface is at least partiallycomplimentarily shaped to engage the sloped face of the skirt of theretainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work implement assembly such as abucket assembly using tips, adapters, and retaining mechanisms withcomponents configured according to various embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tip and adapter subassembly of FIG. 1, shown in isolation from the work implement assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the tip of FIG. 2 without theadapter, showing a retaining mechanism and its components including aretainer and a retainer sleeve with anti-rotation and retention featuresaccording to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a lockedconfiguration.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the tip of FIG. 2 showing the retainer beingrotated from a locked to an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 5 is a partial rear sectional view of FIG. 2 illustrating aretaining mechanism and its components including the retainer andretainer sleeve with anti-rotation and retention features according tovarious embodiments of the present disclosure being assembled into theretaining mechanism receiving aperture of the tip. The retainer is shownin an unlocked configuration.

FIG. 6 is a top oriented perspective view of the retainer and retainersleeve assembly employed in FIGS. 3 thru 5 removed from the tip forenhanced clarity.

FIG. 7 is a bottom oriented perspective view of the retainer sleeve ofFIG. 6 shown in isolation.

FIG. 8 is a front view of the retainer and retainer sleeve assembly ofFIG. 6 with section lines for FIG. 9 .

FIG. 9 is a top sectional view of the retainer and retainer sleeveassembly of FIG. 8 taken along lines 9-9 thereof.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the retainer and retainer sleeve assembly ofFIG. 6 with section lines for FIG. 11 .

FIG. 11 is a bottom sectional view of the retainer and retainer sleeveassembly of FIG. 10 taken along lines 11-11 thereof.

FIG. 12 is a bottom oriented perspective view of another embodiment of aretainer sleeve similar to that of FIG. 7 shown in isolation.

FIG. 13 is a side by side comparison of the partially sectionedembodiments of a retainer sleeve of FIGS. 7 and 12 .

FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of the changed areas of theretainer sleeve of FIG. 12 as compared to the embodiment of FIG. 7 .

FIG. 15 illustrates the more gradual cam action provided by theincreased arcuate cam surface of FIG. 12 when employed in a retainer andretainer sleeve assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure,examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whereverpossible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout thedrawings to refer to the same or like parts. In some cases, a referencenumber will be indicated in this specification and the drawings willshow the reference number followed by a letter for example, 100 a, 100 bor a prime indicator such as 100′, 100″ etc. It is to be understood thatthe use of letters or primes immediately after a reference numberindicates that these features are similarly shaped and have similarfunction such as is often the case when geometry is mirrored about aplane of symmetry. For ease of explanation in this specification,letters or primes will often not be included herein but may be shown inthe drawings to indicate duplications of features discussed within thiswritten specification.

A work implement assembly using tips according to various embodiments ofthe present disclosure will now be discussed.

Starting with FIG. 1 , the work implement assembly 100 may take the formof a bucket assembly 100′ that may be used by a wheel loader and thatincludes an enclosure 101 that defines an opening 102 that communicateswith a generally enclosed interior. Starting from the rear of the bucketassembly 100 as shown in FIG. 1 , the bucket assembly 100 includes acurved shell profile 104, which is attached to a rear wall 106 at thetop end of the shell 104. The other end of the shell is attached to thebottom plate 108 of the assembly 100. A top plate 110 is attached to thetop end of the rear wall 106. The top plate 110 transitions to a spillguard 112 that is designed to funnel material into the interior of thebucket and prevent material from spilling out of the bucket. Reinforcingribs 119 are provided that are attached to the top plate 110 and thespill guard 112, providing reinforcement for strength. Two substantiallyflat end plates 114 are attached to the side edges of the spill guard112, top plate 110, rear wall 106, bottom plate 108 and shell 104.

A side edge assembly 115 is attached to each end plate 114 while a frontedge assembly 116 is attached to the front edge of the bottom plate 108of the bucket assembly 100. The front edge assembly 116 includes a baseedge 117 that is attached to the bottom plate 108, a plurality of centeradapters 118 attached to the base edge 117, and a plurality of tips 200(may also be referred to as tools, teeth, etc.) with each one of theplurality of tips 200 being attached to one of the plurality of centeradapters 118. Also, two corner adapters 120 are also attached to thebase edge and the side edges 122 of the bucket assembly 100′. Tip 200may also be attached to the corner adapters 120.

Moreover, a plurality of base edge protectors 124 are also provided witheach one of the base edge protectors 124 positioned between centeradapters 120 and between a center adapter 120 and a corner adapter 120.A side edge protector 126 is also provided that is attached to the sideedge 122 proximate to a corner adapter 120.

It is to be understood that the work implement assembly may take otherforms other than a bucket assembly including rake assemblies, shearassemblies, etc. In addition, a differently configured bucket that ismeant to be used by an excavator may also use various embodiments of atip, retaining mechanism, adapter, spring, spring loaded retainer, tipassembly, and tip and adapter assembly, etc. as will be discussedherein.

In FIGS. 2 thru 5, the tip 200 may comprise a body 202 that defines alongitudinal axis 204, a vertical axis 206 that is perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis 204, and a lateral axis 208 that is perpendicular tothe vertical axis 206, and the longitudinal axis 204. The body 202 mayinclude a forward working portion 210 disposed along the longitudinalaxis 204 including a closed end 212, and a rear attachment portion 214disposed along the longitudinal axis 204 including an open end 216.

The rear attachment portion 214 defines an exterior surface 218, anadapter nose receiving pocket 220 extending longitudinally from the openend 216, and a retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222 incommunication with the adapter nose receiving pocket 220 and theexterior surface 218. An adapter nose lug receiving groove 224 mayextend longitudinally from the open end 216 to the retaining mechanismreceiving aperture 222. At least retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 maybe in communication with the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222and the adapter nose receiving pocket 220.

Looking now at FIGS. 3 thru 6, a retainer and retainer sleeve assembly300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will now bediscussed. The assembly 300 may comprise a retainer 302 including adrive portion 304, and a lug receiving portion 306 defining a lugreceiving slot 308 that extends partially through the lug receivingportion 306, forming a first sidewall 310, a second sidewall 312, and acatch surface 314 connecting the first sidewall 310 to the secondsidewall 312. A skirt 316 at least partially defines the first sidewall310, second sidewall 312, and catch surface 314 that terminates at asloped face 318 that intersects with the first sidewall 310 (best seenin FIGS. 3 and 6 ). Another sloped face may be provided proximate to thesecond sidewall 312 in other embodiments of the present disclosure, butnot necessarily so.

In FIG. 3 , the outline of a lug 128 that is captured by the retainerand retainer sleeve assembly 300 is shown. It is to be understood thatthe retainer 302 is oriented as shown in FIG. 5 when the tip 200 isinserted over the nose of the adapter. The lug 128 passes first throughthe adapter nose lug receiving groove 224 and then into lug receivingslot 308 until is surrounded on three sides by the first sidewall 310,the second sidewall 312, and the catch surface 314. Then, the retainer302 is rotated 180 degrees until the lug 128 is captured on all sides bythe retainer 300 and the retainer sleeve 400 as shown in FIG. 3 . Now,the tip is retained on the adapter. This process may be reversed toremove the tip from the adapter.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 thru 6, a retainer sleeve 400according to various embodiments of the present disclosure will now bediscussed in the further detail. The retainer sleeve 400 may include abody 402 including an at least partially annular configuration (e.g. atleast partially cylindrical, at least partially conical, etc.) definingan axis of rotation 404, a radial direction 402, and a circumferentialdirection 406 (best seen in FIG. 6 ). The axis of rotation 404 is socalled for either or both of two reasons. First, at least some of thegeometry of the retainer sleeve 400 (and by implication the retainer302), may be modeled by rotating cross-sectional geometry about the axisof rotation 404. Second, the retainer 302 may be configured to berotated about this axis of rotation 404. Other configurations arepossible in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7 , a radially inner annular surface 410 maydefine a radially inner aperture 413, and may include a firstanti-rotation feature 412 extending radially inwardly from the radiallyinner annular surface 410. The first anti-rotation feature 412 mayinclude a sloping ledge 414 having a locking surface 416 (see also FIG.7 ) is at least partially complimentarily shaped to engage the slopedface 318 of the skirt 316 of the retainer 302. This locking surface 416may be planar, slightly arcuate, etc.

Focusing on FIG. 7 , the retainer sleeve 400 may further comprise adetent feature including a rib 418 extending radially inwardly from theradially inner annular surface 410. The rib 418 may be spacedcircumferentially away a predetermined distance 420 from the firstanti-rotation feature 412. The predetermined distance 420 is measured asan arc length from the rib 418 to the first anti-rotation feature 412(e.g. to the locking surface) at the intersection of the lip 422 and theradially inner annular surface 410. The rib 418 may have a cylindrical,conical, or other arcuate configuration in various embodiments. In otherembodiments, it may have a pointed shape, polygonal shape, etc. in aplane parallel with the radial direction 406.

The body 402 may be formed by molding a polyurethane material (e.g.thermoplastic injection molded, cast, cured, etc.). When molded, voids424 may be provided in the design (see FIGS. 3, 5, 6, 9, and 11 ) thatprovide a more uniform wall thickness to help prevent the formation ofvoids, sinks, porosity, etc. in the body 402 resulting from themanufacturing process. The material, structure, or both of the body 402may contribute to the resiliency of the body 402 so that the body 402may deform and rebound. This is desirable when locking and unlocking theretainer 302 and when inserting the retainer sleeve 400 into theretainer sleeve receiving slot 226 of the tip 200 (see FIG. 5 ).

To that end, a pair of radially outer angled surfaces 426, 426′ thatform different draft angles 428, 428′ with a direction parallel to theaxis of rotation 404 in a plane containing the radial direction 406, andthe axis of rotation 404 (see FIG. 5 ). These draft angles 428, 428′ maybe tailored so that it is easier to insert the retainer sleeve 400 intothe slot 226 than to remove it. This helps to hold the retainer sleeve400 in the slot 226, which in turn, helps hold the retainer 302 in thetip 200.

In FIGS. 6 and 7 , the retainer sleeve 400 defines a firstcircumferential end 430 disposed along the circumferential direction408, a second circumferential end 430′ disposed along thecircumferential direction 408. The rib 418 may be disposed proximate tothe first circumferential end 430. A second rib 418′ may be disposedproximate the second circumferential end 430′ but not necessarily so(see FIGS. 9 and 11 ). The second rib 418′ may be similarly,identically, or dissimilarly configured as the other rib 418 in variousembodiments of the present disclosure. It should also be noted that onlyone anti-rotation feature is shown that is proximate to the firstcircumferential end, but is contemplated that another anti-rotationfeature may be provided near the second circumferential end that issimilarly, identically, or dissimilarly configured as the firstanti-rotation feature in other embodiments of the present disclosure.

Still referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lip 422 extends radially andcircumferentially past the rib 418, and the first anti-rotation feature412, entirely overhanging the rib 418 and the first anti-rotationfeature 412. This may not be the case in other embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

More particularly, the lip 422 extends from the first circumferentialend 430 to the second circumferential end 430′, defining an lip arclength 432 measured from the first circumferential end 430 to the secondcircumferential end 430′ at the intersection of the radially innerannular surface 410 and the lip 422.

In certain embodiments a ratio of the lip arc length 432 to thepredetermined distance 420 may range from 12.0 to 16.0, and thepredetermined distance 420 may range from 3.0 mm to 9.0 mm.

Likewise, the first anti-rotation feature 412 may define a maximumcircumferential dimension 434 measured as an arc length at theintersection of the radially inner annular surface 410, and the lip 422.A ratio of the lip arc length 432 to the maximum circumferentialdimension 434 may range from 3.5 to 4.5, and the maximum circumferentialdimension may range from 15.0 mm to 45.0 mm.

Any of these ranges of ratios or dimensions may be different than whathas been specifically mentioned in other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

Next, a retainer sleeve 400 according to various embodiments of thepresent disclosure that may be supplied as a replacement part will bediscussed.

Looking at FIG. 7 , the retainer sleeve may have a body 402 including anat least partially annular configuration (as previously describedherein) defining an axis of rotation 404, a radial direction 406, and acircumferential direction 408. A radially inner annular surface 410 maydefining a radially inner aperture 413. The first anti-rotation feature412 may extend radially inwardly from the radially inner annular surface410 including a sloping ledge 414 having a locking surface 416 thatfaces at least partially in the circumferential direction 408 and alonga direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation 404, forming anoblique angle 436 with the direction that is parallel to the axis ofrotation 404 in a plane perpendicular to the radial direction 406.

In certain embodiments, the oblique angle 436 may range from 50 degreesto 80 degrees and may at least partially match the angle of the slopedface 318 of the retainer 302 (see FIG. 6 ) as alluded to earlier herein.Also, the body 402 may comprise at least one of the following: aplastic, a rubber, an elastomer, a mesh structure (e.g. has voids), anda foam. This may help to make the body 402 resilient so that it candeform and rebound during the assembly, the locking, and the unlockingprocesses as discussed earlier herein.

With continued reference to FIG. 7 , the first anti-rotation feature 412may further include a cam surface 438 (may also be referred to as afirst transitional surface) extending radially inwardly andcircumferentially from the locking surface 416. A ramp 440 may also beprovided that extends circumferentially from the cam surface 438 to theradially inner annular surface 412. As a result of the configuration ofthe locking surface 416, the cam surface 438, and the ramp 440, the camsurface 438 may have a triangular shape (e.g. a triangular perimeter 438a), and the ramp 440 may include an arcuate surface 442. Otherconfigurations of these features are possible in other embodiments ofthe present disclosure. A discussion of the functions of these variousfeatures of the first anti-rotation feature 412 will be discussed laterherein.

Looking at FIGS. 6 and 7 , the at least partially annular configurationof the body 402 defines an angular extent 444 about the axis of rotation404, a first axial end 446 that is disposed along the axis of rotation404, and a second axial end 448 that is disposed along the axis ofrotation 404. The body 402 may have a lip 422 that is disposed at thefirst axial end 446 extending along the entirety of the angular extent444. This may not be the case in other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

As alluded to earlier herein, the lip 422 may extend radially past thefirst anti-rotation feature 412. Also, the first anti-rotation feature412 may extend axially away from the lip 422 toward the second axial end448 defining a maximum axial dimension 450 of the first anti-rotationfeature 412. Similarly, the first anti-rotation feature 412 also definesa maximum radial dimension 452 measured radially from the radially innerannular surface 410 to the radial extremity of the first anti-rotationfeature 412. Moreover, the radially inner aperture 413 may define aninner diameter 454 (see FIG. 11 ), and a radially inner aperture axialdepth 456 (see FIG. 7 ) measured axially from the lip 422 to the secondaxial end 448.

In certain embodiments, a ratio of the radially inner aperture axialdepth 456 of the radially inner aperture 413 to the maximum axialdimension 450 of the first anti-rotation feature 412 may range from 1.5to 2.5, and a ratio of the inner diameter 454 of the radially inneraperture 413 to the maximum radial dimension 452 of the firstanti-rotation feature may range from 10.0 to 15.0. In such embodiments,the maximum axial dimension 450 may range from 7.0 mm to 16.0 mm, andthe maximum radial dimension 452 may range from 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm.

Another retainer sleeve 400 according to another embodiment of thepresent disclosure may be described as follows with reference to FIG. 7.

The retainer sleeve 400 may include a body 402 including an at leastpartially annular configuration defining an axis of rotation 404, aradial direction 406, a circumferential direction 408, a first axial enddisposed 446 along the axis of rotation 404, and a second axial end 448disposed along the axis of rotation 404.

A radially inner annular surface 412 may define a radially inneraperture 413, a detent feature including a rib 418 extending radiallyinwardly from the radially inner annular surface 412. The rib 418 maydefine a rib radial height 458 (see also FIG. 9 ), and a lip 422disposed at the first axial end 446 extending radially andcircumferential past the rib 418. The rib 418 may extend axially fromthe lip 422 toward the second axial end 448, defining a rib axial length460. Also, the radially inner annular surface 410 may define an innerdiameter 454′ (see FIG. 11 ), and a radially inner aperture axial depth456 as mentioned just above herein.

In certain embodiments, a ratio of the radially inner aperture axialdepth 456 to the rib axial length 460 may range from 1.5 to 1.0, and aratio of the inner diameter 454′ to the rib radial height 458 may rangefrom 22.0 to 30.0. In such embodiments, the rib axial length 460 mayrange from 15.0 mm to 32.0 mm, and the rib radial height 458 may rangefrom 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm.

Again, the body 402 may comprise at least one of the following: aplastic, a rubber, an elastomer, a mesh structure (e.g. a honeycomb likestructure), and a foam, making the body 402 a resilient body.

Again, it should be noted that any of the ranges of ratios, dimensions,angles, surface areas and/or configurations of various features may bevaried as desired or needed including those not specifically mentionedherein. Although not specifically discussed, blends such as fillets areshown to connect the various surfaces. These may be omitted in otherembodiments and it is to be understood that their presence may beignored sometimes when reading the present specification unlessotherwise specifically mentioned.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In practice, a machine, a work implement assembly, a tip assembly, a tipand adapter assembly, a retainer sleeve, a retainer and retainer sleeveassembly and/or any combination of these various assemblies andcomponents may be manufactured, bought, or sold to retrofit a machine ora work implement assembly in the field in an aftermarket context, oralternatively, may be manufactured, bought, sold or otherwise obtainedin an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) context.

Any of the aforementioned components may be made from any suitablematerial including iron, grey-cast iron, steel, plastic, rubber, foam,etc.

The features of the retainer sleeve and retainer as previously describedherein may operate as follows to facilitate a robust lockedconfiguration and a less robust unlocked configuration.

First, (best understood with reference to FIG. 5 ) the retainer 302 andthe retainer sleeve 400 are snapped into the retainer sleeve receivingslot 226, and the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222. Theconstruction of the retainer sleeve 400 is such that it is resilientenough to deform locally and/or as a whole so that it can be snappedinto the retainer sleeve receiving slot 226 and rigid enough to remaintherein. The lip 422 of the retainer sleeve 400 holds the retainer 302axially in place. The lip 422 extends completely around the perimeter ofthe retainer sleeve 400 to provide robust axial retention of theretainer 302 in the retaining mechanism receiving aperture 222.

As can be appreciated by FIGS. 3, 6, 7, 9 and 11 , the rib 418 of thedetent feature provides a slight retaining force to hold the retainer302 in the locked and/or unlocked position. This slight retaining forcemay be easily overcome by inserting a tool into the drive portion 304 ofthe retainer 302. The first anti-rotation feature 412 provides a morerobust retaining force than the detent feature. Hence, one skilled inthe art might refer to the first anti-rotation feature 412 as a primarydevice for preventing rotation of the retainer 302 while the detentfeature might be referred to as a secondary device for preventingrotation of the retainer 302 from the locked to unlocked configuration.

As best understood with reference to FIG. 7 , the first anti-rotationfeature 412 includes a ramp 440 with a greater circumferential extentthan that the cam surface 438, and the locking surface 416. Accordingly,the force required to rotate the retainer 302 from the unlockedconfiguration to the locked configuration is less than what is requiredto unlock the retainer 302.

More specifically, the wedge or cam effect provided by ramp 440 as itcontacts the skirt 316 of the retainer 302 spreads apart the retainersleeve 400 into the clearance (part of 226) found between the tip 202and the retainer sleeve 400 (as well as providing local deformation)more easily than when the process is reversed to achieve an unlockedconfiguration.

When the retainer 302 is rotated from the locked position to theunlocked position, the oblique angle 436 of the locking surface 416provides less of a wedge or cam effect to spread the retainer sleeve 400open. If enough force is exerted, the skirt 316 of the retainer 302eventually contacts the cam surface 438, which primarily deflects thefirst anti-rotation feature 412 radially outwardly into a void 424. Theretainer 302 may then be more easily rotated to achieve the unlockedconfiguration. Hence, the likelihood of the undesired rotation of theretainer 302 from the locked to unlocked configuration is lessened.

Turning now to FIGS. 12 thru 15, another embodiment of a retainer sleeve400 a that may be easier to assemble, and ease the rotating of thelock/retainer from the locked configuration to the unlockedconfiguration, while increasing the amount of torque necessary to lock.

It is to be understood that the retainer sleeve 400 a and retainer andretainer sleeve assembly 300 a is similarly or identically constructedand operated as the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 thru 11 except ascontradicted or otherwise described as follows.

In FIGS. 12 thru 14, it can be appreciated that the cam surface 438 bmay be increased circumferentially by several millimeters such that itstriangular shape in FIG. 7 becomes a quadrilateral shape (seequadrilateral perimeter 438 c) in FIGS. 12 thru 14. As a result, theramp 440 a has a shorter circumferential extent with an arcuate shapehaving a smaller radius of curvature. The result is that surface area ofcontact between the retainer and retainer in FIG. 9 is increased to whatis shown in FIG. 15 (at 438 b).

Focusing on FIG. 12 , the retainer sleeve 400 a may include a firstcircumferential end 430 a, a second circumferential end 430 b, and anangular extent 444 a from the first circumferential end 430 a to thesecond circumferential end 430 b about the axis of rotation 404 a.Furthermore, a first axial end 446 a, and a second axial end 448 a maybe disposed along the axis of rotation 404 a. A lip may be disposed atthe first axial end extending along the entirety of the angular extent(see FIG. 7 ), or a split lip 422 a may be provided as shown in FIG. 12. This split lip 422 a may include a first lip portion 423 a thatextends circumferentially from the first circumferential end 430 a tothe sloping ledge 414 a, and a second lip portion 423 b extendingcircumferentially from the second circumferential end 430 b to the ramp440 a.

Turning to FIG. 14 , the split lip 422 a may define a free end 425, anda lip overhang dimension 427 measured radially from the radially innerannular surface 410 a to the free end 425 of the split lip 422 a thatranges from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm. This dimension may be one or moremillimeters less than the maximum radial dimension 452 in FIG. 7 in someembodiments.

Also, the first lip portion 423 a of the split lip 422 a may beseparated from the second lip portion 423 b of the split lip 422 a by alead-in surface 462 (e.g a conical surface as shown, an arcuate surface,etc.) that is non-parallel with the axis of rotation 404 a, and thatextends from the cam surface 438 b to the first axial end 446 a. Thissurface 462 may aid in inserting the retainer into the retainer sleeve.This feature may be omitted in other embodiments of the presentdisclosure.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examplesof the disclosed assembly and technique. However, it is contemplatedthat other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail fromthe foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examplesthereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussedat that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to thescope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction anddisparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate alack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from thescope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.

Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the embodiments of theapparatus and methods of assembly as discussed herein without departingfrom the scope or spirit of the invention(s). Other embodiments of thisdisclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and practice of the variousembodiments disclosed herein. For example, some of the equipment may beconstructed and function differently than what has been described hereinand certain steps of any method may be omitted, performed in an orderthat is different than what has been specifically mentioned or in somecases performed simultaneously or in sub-steps. Furthermore, variationsor modifications to certain aspects or features of various embodimentsmay be made to create further embodiments and features and aspects ofvarious embodiments may be added to or substituted for other features oraspects of other embodiments in order to provide still furtherembodiments.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalentsof the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permittedby applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-describedelements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by thedisclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearlycontradicted by context.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retainer sleeve comprising: a body including anat least partially annular configuration defining an axis of rotation, aradial direction, and a circumferential direction; a radially innerannular surface defining a radially inner aperture; and a firstanti-rotation feature extending radially inwardly from the radiallyinner annular surface including a sloping ledge having a locking surfacethat faces at least partially in the circumferential direction and alonga direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation, forming an obliqueangle with the direction that is parallel to the axis of rotation in aplane perpendicular to the radial direction.
 2. The retainer sleeve ofclaim 1 wherein the oblique angle ranges from 50 degrees to 80 degrees,and the body comprises at least one of the following: a plastic, arubber, an elastomer, a mesh structure, and a foam.
 3. The retainersleeve of claim 1 wherein the first anti-rotation feature furtherincludes a cam surface extending radially inwardly and circumferentiallyfrom the locking surface.
 4. The retainer sleeve of claim 3 wherein thefirst anti-rotation feature further comprises a ramp extendingcircumferentially from the cam surface to the radially inner annularsurface, the cam surface including a triangular shape or a quadrilateralshape, and the ramp including an arcuate shape.
 5. The retainer sleeveof claim 4 wherein the at least partially annular configuration of thebody defines, a first circumferential end, a second circumferential end,an angular extent from the first circumferential end to the secondcircumferential end about the axis of rotation, a first axial enddisposed along the axis of rotation, a second axial end disposed alongthe axis of rotation, and the body further comprises a lip disposed atthe first axial end extending along the entirety of the angular extent,or a split lip including a first lip portion that extendscircumferentially from the first circumferential end to the slopingledge, and a second lip portion extending circumferentially from thesecond circumferential end to the ramp.
 6. The retainer sleeve of claim5, wherein the first lip portion of the split lip is separated from thesecond lip portion of the split lip by a lead-in surface that isnon-parallel with the axis of rotation, and that extends from the camsurface to the first axial end, the first anti-rotation feature extendsaxially away from the lip toward the second axial end defining a maximumaxial dimension, the first anti-rotation feature also defines a maximumradial dimension from the radially inner annular surface, the radiallyinner annular surface defines an inner diameter and a radially inneraperture axial depth, a ratio of the radially inner aperture axial depthto the maximum axial dimension ranges from 1.5 to 2.5, and a ratio ofthe inner diameter to the maximum radial dimension ranges from 10.0 to15.0.
 7. The retainer sleeve of claim 6 wherein the maximum axialdimension ranges from 7.0 mm to 16.0 mm, and the maximum radialdimension ranges from 2.0 mm to 5.0 mm, the split lip defining a freeend, and further defining a lip overhang dimension measured radiallyfrom the radially inner annular surface to the free end of the split lipthat ranges from 1.0 mm to 4.0 mm.